County Board hears monument update

Roscoe Misselhorn's rendition of the Liberty Bell of the West will be included on the monument the NSDAR Liberty Bell of the West Chapter is planning to erect between the Randolph County Courthouse and museum. The French inscription reads "For the Church of the Illinois, by gift of the King across the water."Provided illustration

By Pete SpitlerEditor@heraldtrib.com

updated: 4/16/2017 1:16 PM

As part of the April 7 meeting of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, Joan Montroy provided an update on the NSDAR Liberty Bell of the West Chapter's plans to install a monument between the county courthouse and museum.

The monument will honor Randolph County's patriots of the American Revolution while recognizing the county's heritage as the birthplace of the state. The dedication of the monument is expected to coincide with the observation of Illinois's bicentennial in 2018.

Montroy noted that the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recently celebrated its 125th anniversary of service to America in 2015.

"Ancestors who served in or supported the (American) Revolution," she said, when asked by Commissioner Marc Kiehna what a "patriot" is. "Either monetary, food, or signing a statement that they are supporting the Revolution."

Montroy said that plans for the monument originally included the names of county patriots, but the NSDAR wanted the Liberty Bell of the West Chapter to re-document all of the patriots it wanted to name.

"To go back in time and re-document all of that was a very demanding of our members," she said.

Instead, the monument will include the national insignia of the DAR, text signifying Randolph County as "where Illinois began" and part of the original proclamation from King Louis XV of France giving the Liberty Bell of the West to the people of Illinois country.

Also on the monument will be the inscription - in French - that is on the bell: "Pour Leglise des Illinois par les soins du Roi d'outre l'eau (For the Church of the Illinois, by gift of the King across the water)" and Roscoe Misselhorn's rendition of the bell.

"We wanted to put it there in French because of greater impact for people who live here," Montroy said.

Montroy noted that the DAR requires two historians to verify every word of text on the monument before the organization approves it.

"We're doing this step-by-step because that's the way National wants or they bounce it back to you," she said.

Montroy said the monument will be French Creek Black with a base that is 72x14x12. It is being created by Lager Monument.

"This will be a very attractive monument," Kiehna said.

Montroy asked the commissioners for a letter to send to the DAR stating the monument is being dedicated to Randolph County.

"We are hoping to dedicate it on July 4, 1818, but the date is important because it has to be the year we send the letter to National," she said. "They are very picky."

In other news, Treasurer Justin Jeffers provided an update on the county sales tax receipts.

Jeffers noted that collection totals are up more than $37,000 from the same time a year ago, but more than $320,000 less than what was collected at this time in 2015.

"Our last sales tax payment received in the month of March totaled $48,011.14," Jeffers said, noting the payment covers the month of January. "This payment is $14,738.91 less than last year and $136,916.06 less than the 2015 receipt."

"That is a significant difference," he said.

Jeffers said his projections puts the county on pace for fiscal year totals in the $700,000 to $800,000 range, nearly half of what was received in 2015.

"I was hoping for $900,000 when I did the budget," said Commissioner Dave Holder, who is also the county's budget director. "So we're still projecting below."

ROUNDUP

During public comment, County Clerk Pat Laramore noted that she has increased revenue in her office by $12,000, which doesn't include marriage license fees, but property tax bills are expected to be behind due to a shortage of employees.

County Engineer Mike Riebeling noted that the Bluff Road resurfacing project is progressing well and is anticipated to be completed in mid-June, weather permitting.

Randolph County Care Center Administrator Ken Slavens noted his facility had 64 residents and was recently surveyed by both state and federal inspectors.

"The federal inspectors were watching the state," he said. "It really is quite a show."